Home at last...I think

[FrequencyDX]

I'm still uncertain, but I feel like I'm home at last. Recently I prayed to God, without concern about denomination, and not in a particular way associated with ritual, just me and God, and I feel like things are becoming clearer for me. I was raised Catholic, and love many aspects about the church, but when I started having a personal relationship with Jesus, I began to question the church and look at other denominations, which often lead me to begin to doubt or to further confusion. But now, I think I'm beginning to realise, that although denominations can offer insights, they are all man made, and although we go to church for fellowship, denominations and divides can sometimes get in the way of the gospel; the most important thing I've realised, above all, is to love God and his son, and to love each other, regardless of religion, race or creed. I've learned that I need to open myself up to God, and not be so concerned with my rational mind that focuses on which church I should go to, and just follow God, a church will come when I'm ready, whether thats the Catholic church, non-denominational, or whatever...

 

[SharonL]

Yeah!!!!! You found the secret. My relationship with Jesus began to grow when I threw down ALL religion. I got tired of all the man made rules that make our walk so difficult. You know Jesus only left us with two commandments and if we follow those two all the rest falls into place. One - Love the Lord thy God and Two Love our neighbor as ourselves. That's not difficult.

Now just know that Jesus is walking hand in hand with you with the Holy Spirit leading your steps. He is by your side every step of the way. The Bible tells us that Jesus is your friend, talk to Him like a friend, keep Him upper most in your mind and let the Joy of the Lord shine through your walk.

Congratulations - it took me 60 years to learn what you just spoke, and for the past 15 years, my walk has been so precious.

 

[FrequencyDX]

Yeah!!!!! You found the secret. My relationship with Jesus began to grow when I threw down ALL religion. I got tired of all the man made rules that make our walk so difficult. You know Jesus only left us with two commandments and if we follow those two all the rest falls into place. One - Love the Lord thy God and Two Love our neighbor as ourselves. That's not difficult.

Now just know that Jesus is walking hand in hand with you with the Holy Spirit leading your steps. He is by your side every step of the way. The Bible tells us that Jesus is your friend, talk to Him like a friend, keep Him upper most in your mind and let the Joy of the Lord shine through your walk.

Congratulations - it took me 60 years to learn what you just spoke, and for the past 15 years, my walk has been so precious.

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, I hope and pray that I will grow in faith as each day passes, and in love for my fellow mankind. I know I will stumble and fall in my walk, but that is why Jesus died for us, so that whenever we fall or struggle, we dont have to struggle alone. God is all-forgiving, and if we have faith in him, we can learn to walk and struggle with him.

 

[ezeric]

You are Home At Last!!!!!!



PRAISE THE LORD.

And you are hearing HIS VOICE - there are saints that have been struggling with that for decades!! Good Stuff!

Ask JESUS to show you how to 'become the church' which is HIS Body, that HE (JESUS) is the head of.

So, no man is head of the church - only JESUS!

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 (read all the verses)

The Church is an organism not an organization.

Huge difference! And you found it!

Keep on listening to JESUS! You will not go wrong.

-eric

The Exchanged Life

 

[chilehed]

I'm still uncertain, but I feel like I'm home at last. Recently I prayed to God, without concern about denomination, and not in a particular way associated with ritual, just me and God, and I feel like things are becoming clearer for me. I was raised Catholic, and love many aspects about the church, but when I started having a personal relationship with Jesus, I began to question the church and look at other denominations, which often lead me to begin to doubt or to further confusion. But now, I think I'm beginning to realise, that although denominations can offer insights, they are all man made, and although we go to church for fellowship, denominations and divides can sometimes get in the way of the gospel; the most important thing I've realised, above all, is to love God and his son, and to love each other, regardless of religion, race or creed. I've learned that I need to open myself up to God, and not be so concerned with my rational mind that focuses on which church I should go to, and just follow God, a church will come when I'm ready, whether thats the Catholic church, non-denominational, or whatever...

I was raised Protestant, and in the end found that the Reformation's promises of eternal security and a personal relationship with Christ were hollow. In reality it turned out to be a morass of variant doctrines with no way to be really sure that any one of them was correct, and no way to be really sure that I wasn't fooling myself with my thought that I was a sheep and not a goat.

I learned that I need to be very concerned with which Church I go to, because Christ established his church with a body and if I truly love Him I will become a part of the visible Church which He established.

It wasn't until I entered the Catholic Church that I experienced a truly intimate relationship with Christ.

 

[Grafted_in]

Firstly, congratulations my friend! There is nothing like being born of and walking in the Spirit of God. I can think of no words to describe it, other than it's like being born of and walking with God. You have discovered this - something which seems more difficult for those raised in church, particularly Catholic. I rejoice for you!

You said divisions can hinder the gospel message, and this is certainly a sad truth. You said "the most important thing I've realised, above all, is to love God and his son, and to love each other" This sounds like what Jesus said in Mark 12:29-31, what the scribe believed in verse 32-33, and in verse 34 Jesus said "Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God". I'd give you a hug if I could.

The most important thing now is to keep not just that wisdom and those commandments but also that love for Him burned deep into your soul. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Quench not the Holy Ghost. Walk in Spirit and in truth. Keep your hope and faith in Jesus and no other. Allow the Spirit of God to wrought His change in you, and be not ashamed of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Preach it everywhere.

I must ask what kind of book do you have there, fellow...Jerusalem Bible? New American Bible? You should look into getting the real deal. Are you familiar with King Jimmy VI? Make no mistake about it, your heart is much more important than some ink on paper; but as a Christian you should be studying the word of God and to do so you need the word of God. If by chance you know another version you will be surprised at the differences. Consider these words carefully. The King James Version is what Christians should be reading, period. If you want sources or more reasons contact me.

I can understand being wary of adhering to any particular denomination, this is perfectly fine. I can understand needing to focus on God for awhile and not "which church should I go to?" This is fine: but remember that we are cautioned not to forsake the assembling of ourselves. As members of the body of Christ we are to gather together with other believers. Do not feel pressured or forced, but do not purposefully avoid it either. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and he shall establish thy thoughts.

I'm not sure about overseas, but in the U.S. the church doctrines which aligns most with scripture seem to generally be Baptists. If there are Baptist churches in your area consider them, but let the word of God be your final authority. A church full of Christians, whatever the name on the door, should believe and follow the scriptures; anything else is not properly founded. Anything else is dangerous.

 

[LWB]

Denomination doesn't matter. Bible version doesn't matter. Political beliefs don't matter. Nothing that divides us matters. Through Jesus we become one.

We are the body of Christ, and it is love that bonds us together. Explore this truth far enough, and eventually the distinction between self and other disappears. Then there is nothing but love for all, and the most profound reverence for the Mind who arranged it.

 

[JCFantasy23]

Glad to read your post - it's right on and very insightful.

Hope you enjoy the forums!

 

[Peripatetic]

Good realization! There is no reason why you can't incorporate different denominational perspectives either. I grew up in a Charismatic Catholic home (similar to Pentecostal with lots of community worship outside of the church, speaking in tongues, etc). I went to a Presbyterian college and married a Baptist that I met there. We now attend a contemporary Catholic church, and I listen to protestant podcasts every day on the way to work. To us, it's the best of both worlds. We like the reverence and traditional worship of the Catholic mass, but protestant sermons and bible study tend to be better.

 

[Celtic D]

I'm still uncertain, but I feel like I'm home at last. Recently I prayed to God, without concern about denomination, and not in a particular way associated with ritual, just me and God, and I feel like things are becoming clearer for me. I was raised Catholic, and love many aspects about the church, but when I started having a personal relationship with Jesus, I began to question the church and look at other denominations, which often lead me to begin to doubt or to further confusion. But now, I think I'm beginning to realise, that although denominations can offer insights, they are all man made, and although we go to church for fellowship, denominations and divides can sometimes get in the way of the gospel; the most important thing I've realised, above all, is to love God and his son, and to love each other, regardless of religion, race or creed. I've learned that I need to open myself up to God, and not be so concerned with my rational mind that focuses on which church I should go to, and just follow God, a church will come when I'm ready, whether thats the Catholic church, non-denominational, or whatever...

That could be me except I come from a different background (but same principle) and it took me much longer to realise.

You do not need a church, they stiffle faith, and nor yet do you need the King James Version with its antiquated English. Any version you are will to read, including the Message Version is perfectly fine

Good luck with your journey